Friday, July 18, 2008

This is one big caterpillar and it metamorphoses into one big moth. The polyphemus moth has a wingspan of 5.5 to 6 inches and has two sets of "eyespots", one smallish set on the forewings and a large set on the hindwings. The larvae eat the leaves of many species of trees and shrubs but likely do not serious damage because there are so few of them.

About Me

I am the horticulturist for the Asian Collections at the US National Arboretum. Before entering public horticulture, I designed garden locally. Karen and I garden at our houses in Adelphi, Maryland and Wildwood, Florida. I'm nearing retirement and adjusting to the idea of leaving my gardens in Adelphi and at the Arboretum.